In Hearts in the Hallway Kang Haerin Senior year at Hanlim Multi Arts High School begins like any other: filled with the usual stress of grades, friendships, and the ever-present tension with Marsh Danielle, her longtime rival. Danielle is the golde...
The sun was setting behind the school as Haerin stepped out of the front doors, her backpack slung over her shoulder. The late afternoon breeze felt good, cool against her skin after a long day filled with assignments and long-winded class discussions. Sophie was already waiting for her at the bottom of the steps, tapping her phone as she scrolled through something on social media, her expression a mix of concentration and impatience.
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"Hey," Haerin said, catching her attention.
Hyein looked up and immediately raised an eyebrow. "Well? Spill. What happened between you and Danielle today?"
Haerin hesitated, her heart rate picking up slightly as she tried to ignore the flutter of excitement in her chest. It was a feeling she hadn't expected to get used to—the warmth that bloomed whenever Danielle popped into her thoughts, the way her heart raced when she saw her name on her phone screen.
Today had been no different. She'd spent most of the lunch hour walking with her, talking casually, laughing at her sarcastic comments, and slowly letting herself fall into the comfortable rhythm that had developed between them. It felt so 'easy', which was exactly why she wasn't sure what to make of it yet.
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Hyein was watching her closely now, her arms crossed, waiting for an answer.
"Not much," Haerin said, trying to keep her voice casual. "Just the usual. She's ... been different lately. Less of the usual battle, more actual conversations." She was surprised at how comfortable the words came out. It was as if, for the first time, she didn't feel like she needed to hide or justify their interactions. Maybe she was finally starting to accept that 'this'—whatever it was between her and Danielle—was real.
Hyein raised an eyebrow. "And you 'don't' think that's a big deal?"
Haerin shrugged, playing it cool. "I don't know yet. I mean, we've spent the last few months being... whatever we were. I'm not sure I'm ready to call it anything else yet. We're just figuring things out."
Hyein grinned knowingly. "So you're telling me it's not a big deal that Buffoon i mean Danielle —the girl who once literally tripped you in front of half the school—is now talking to you like you're actually friends?"
